ES2992537B2 - Triboelectric portable floor - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Triboelectric portable floor

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a modular, triboelectric portable floor that harnesses the energy generated by footsteps and friction to generate electricity. The electricity generated by the triboelectric portable floor can be used in a variety of applications.

The present invention makes it possible, for example, to generate an alarm signal when footsteps are detected on the floor. Furthermore, the triboelectric portable floor object of the invention can generate electrical energy that can be stored in batteries for later use, for example, to charge electronic devices.

The triboelectric portable floor, object of the present invention, is of special application in the industry of devices for generating electrical energy using renewable sources.

Background of the invention and technical problem to be solved

Today, a large number of self-propelled and energy-harvesting devices are being developed to convert available ambient energy into electrical power to meet the growing global demand for cleaner and more sustainable energy.

A variety of techniques have been studied to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Electromagnetic generators (EMGs) were the conventional approach to generating electricity. Other technologies, such as those based on the piezoelectric effect or electromagnetic induction, have also been developed. However, these technologies require complicated structures and operate under high-frequency stimuli with low transduction efficiency and low voltage output in the low-frequency domain, which limits their potential applications.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have the ability to overcome these limitations and have therefore attracted the attention of researchers worldwide to generate low-frequency mechanical energy such as wind, vibration, water waves, vehicle or human body motion, etc. They are an innovative technology in the areas of energy harvesting and nanoenergy and nanosystems (NENS). Triboelectric nanogenerators were first invented in 2012 by Zhong Lin Wang's team and can very effectively convert various forms of ambient mechanical energy into electrical energy following the principles of electrostatic induction coupling effects and contact electrification.

Various TENG designs exist to harness the mechanical energy of footsteps or similar movements: either carried in backpacks attached to the back, inserted into insoles or the soles of shoes in various configurations, or installed on floors or platforms. Studies of these designs implement various methods to increase the contact surface and, consequently, the electrical energy produced.

Triboelectric-based floors have the advantage of being independent of individual design, and can be used to generate energy in a much larger number of settings and by a much larger number of people.

Previous publications (the vast majority published by Zhong Lin Wang and colleagues) referring to floors based on the triboelectric effect are based on the generation of electricity by TENGs during their use phase. They are governed by only one of the following operating modes: contact-separation or lateral sliding of their triboelectric layers. Most refer to floors that take advantage of the friction of the rubber sole of shoes with their top layer.

Description of the invention

In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the present invention relates to a triboelectric portable floor.

The triboelectric portable floor, object of the present invention, comprises at least one floor module, which in turn comprises:

<o>a first cover configured to be arranged, in use, in contact with a ground or surface;

<o>a second cover configured to serve, in use, as a contact surface with any object, animal or person located on the triboelectric portable floor;

<o>a main substrate arranged between the first cover and the second cover, the main substrate comprising a plurality of first flexible sheets, each first flexible sheet being in contact with the first cover and the second cover, each first flexible sheet comprising a plurality of folds upon itself forming an accordion geometry and defining a plurality of first channels between the folds of each first flexible sheet, each first channel being arranged between two portions of each first flexible sheet, the first channels being directed from a first side towards a second side of the floor module;

<o>a first side substrate arranged in correspondence with the first side of the floor module, where the first side substrate is arranged in a direction transverse to the first channels of the main substrate, where the first side substrate comprises a second flexible sheet, where the second flexible sheet is in contact with the first cover, where the second flexible sheet comprises a plurality of folds on itself forming an accordion geometry and defining a plurality of second channels between the folds of the second flexible sheet, such that each second channel is arranged between two portions of the second flexible sheet;

<o>a second side substrate arranged in correspondence with the second side of the floor module, where the second side substrate is arranged in a direction transverse to the first channels of the main substrate, where the second side substrate comprises a third flexible sheet, where the third flexible sheet is in contact with the second cover, where the third flexible sheet comprises a plurality of folds on itself forming an accordion geometry and defining a plurality of third channels between the folds of the third flexible sheet, such that each third channel is arranged between two portions of the third flexible sheet.

In each fold of each flexible sheet there is a portion of flexible sheet with a first surface of one side of the flexible sheet facing a channel, and a second surface of the opposite side of the flexible sheet facing an adjacent channel.

Thus, electrodes are arranged on the first surface and on the second surface, where each electrode is formed by a metal sheet.

A triboelectric layer (a sheet of triboelectric material) is arranged on each electrode.

Between each electrode and the corresponding triboelectric layer arranged on the electrode, a plurality of conductive wires are arranged with a plurality of electrical terminals connected at different points on the surface of the electrode.

The conducting wires are arranged so that they run from the corresponding electrode, through the space between the flexible sheets, towards current collectors.

The triboelectric layers located in the same channel are arranged in such a way that, in correspondence with one portion of the flexible film, electropositive triboelectric layers are arranged and, in correspondence with the other portion of the flexible film, electronegative triboelectric layers are arranged.

Likewise, in correspondence with the same portion of flexible sheet:

<o>if the triboelectric layers arranged on one side of the flexible sheet and facing a channel are electropositive triboelectric layers, the triboelectric layers arranged on the other side of the flexible sheet and facing the adjacent channel are also electropositive triboelectric layers, and;

<o>If the triboelectric layers arranged on one side of the flexible film and facing one channel are electronegative triboelectric layers, the triboelectric layers arranged on the other side of the flexible film and facing the adjacent channel are also electronegative triboelectric layers.

The described portable triboelectric floor allows a greater amount of electrical energy to be collected from the mechanical energy generated by footsteps and movements on the floor, compared to other existing triboelectric floors, since the different substrates located between the two covers allow, through compression and friction of the folds of the flexible sheets, a large amount of electricity to be collected, not available in other conventional models of triboelectric floors.

Preferably, in the triboelectric portable floor object of the present invention:

<o>The main substrate protrudes from the first deck and the second deck by the same distance from a third side and from a fourth side of the at least one floor module;

<o>the first side substrate protrudes from the second cover from the first side of the floor module, and;

<o>The second side substrate protrudes from the first cover (4) from the second side of the floor module;

so that the at least one floor module is configured to fit with other adjacent floor modules on either side of the floor modules, the folds of the flexible sheets protruding from one floor module fitting into the folds of the flexible sheets protruding from one or more adjacent floor modules.

Preferably, the flexible sheets are made of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material.

Alternatively, flexible sheets can be made of polyimide (PI) or some other material.

Preferably, the electropositive triboelectric layers are made of a nitrile rubber (NBR) material.

Furthermore, the electronegative triboelectric layers are preferably made of a fluoroelastomer rubber (FKM) material.

The electrodes are preferably made of aluminum.

The conducting wires are preferably made of copper.

The first cover can be made of natural rubber foam.

The triboelectric layers located in the same channel, together with the electrodes on which said triboelectric layers are arranged, constitute a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG).

According to one possible embodiment of the triboelectric portable floor, at least one triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is connected to a battery or capacitor. The battery or capacitor may be connected to an external device such as a traffic light, a vehicle counter, or a people counter.

Also according to a possible embodiment of the triboelectric portable floor, at least one triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is connected to a channel of a columnar channel array of a data acquisition system.

Optionally, at least one triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is connected to a medium or low power wireless transmitter.

Also, optionally, at least one triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is connected to an antenna.

The triboelectric portable floor, the object of the present invention, allows mechanical energy to be transformed into electrical energy without the need for an external power source. This alternative, renewable mechanical energy is generated on each floor module in the form of footsteps or other biomechanical forces, and during assembly, when fitted with other similar floor modules, and is transformed into electrical energy.

The mechanical energy harvesting carried out by the triboelectric portable floor, object of the present invention, with a dual mode of operation of the triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that are arranged inside its internal structure, can be used for numerous applications (LEDs, sensors, charging electronic devices...) or for the simple fact of storing electricity.

Each TENG made with FKR and MKL in the triboelectric portable floor generates a charge value of 1.4 pC. This can produce currents of up to 5000 V in an open circuit and currents of 2 pA in a short circuit, resulting in a power density of 1 W/m2 for each normal footfall on the triboelectric portable floor.

In both mounting and operating modes (the latter due to mechanical pressure exerted by users, vehicles, or any moving heavy object that exerts pressure on the ground), electricity is generated and used as a power source or for detection in various applications (lighting, light or sound warning messages, remote alarms, etc.). During mounting, power is generated by friction, while in operation, it is generated by contact pressure, compression, or traction. All without batteries.

The present invention improves the performance of existing floors based on the triboelectric effect with a novel portable floor format that generates electricity through two operating modes (pressure and friction).

The present invention also allows for the resolution of the problems related to the implementation of the floor in certain spaces, allowing the present triboelectric portable floor to be installed in any type of exterior or interior space regardless of the environmental conditions.

The triboelectric portable floor is made of floor plates or modules that generate electricity when they fit together and when a person steps or moves on them, that is, using low-frequency mechanical energy (approximately 2 to 5 Hz). For this purpose, it incorporates a plurality of triboelectric nanogenerators.

The geometric features of a floor plate or module comprise several pieces resembling a sandwich structure in which two layers of coating (covers) surround and protect an inner corrugated flexible substrate on which the TENGs reside in the form of strips of materials.

The bottom layer (first layer) is preferably a flat sheet of rubber or natural rubber foam to absorb vibrations and securely anchor the triboelectric portable floor to the underlying pavement. The top layer (second layer) will be a flat sheet of a material chosen by the client or end user, depending on the intended application of the triboelectric portable floor.

Between these upper and lower layers is the substrate, whose structure is in the form of flexible corrugated sheets shaped like successive corrugated springs with a plurality of channels or cavities per "spring" into which the TENG layers are inserted. The substrate, in order to withstand impacts and loads on the ground and at the same time deform sufficiently so that the triboelectric layers maintain contact with each other, is made of a flexible polymer with a high elastic limit and fatigue resistance, such as Kapton® (polyimide, PI) or, more preferably, liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Due to the complex shape of the substrate and its constant cross-section, it can be manufactured by injection or extrusion.

The structure, which resembles a sheet of constant section folded a large number of times on itself, acts like a spring when footsteps or stresses are applied to the floor surface, providing the spring wave deformation and the damping necessary for the triboelectric layers of the TENGs to maintain contact with each other (generating electricity) and then return to their original separated state. The main or middle substrate includes, according to one possible embodiment, nine and a half wave-like springs, since one of its sides will fit longitudinally with the side of the substrate of another floor module.

On the other two sides of the floor module, two narrower side substrates are arranged transversely to the main substrate, so that the modules on these sides also fit together longitudinally. That is, the wave structure of the first side substrate of one module fits with that of the second side substrate of another module, and so on. The cavities or channels of the wave "springs" at the edges of the main substrate and the narrow side substrates on both sides contain triboelectric nanogenerators that operate by lateral sliding due to the friction produced when the floor plates or modules fit together during assembly or installation of the floor. This does not prevent them from continuing to operate in the touch-to-peel motion mode once the corresponding floor plates or modules have been installed.

For each horizontal cavity or channel in the wave-like springs of the substrates, there is a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Each unit consists of the electronegative and electropositive triboelectric layers and two electrodes.

The electropositive triboelectric layer and the electronegative triboelectric layer can be made of thin sheets of nitrile-vinyl rubber (NBR) and fluoroelastomer rubber (FKM or Viton), respectively. Other materials can also be combined, such as materials with flame-resistant or flame-retardant components as well as moisture-resistant components.

The electrodes are made of 0.05 mm aluminum tape, or they can be made of other conductive materials such as copper. It is feasible to include elements such as layers of nanoporous material, nanowires, or surface geometric patterns to increase the contact area between the triboelectric layers and, consequently, the triboelectric charge density and efficiency of the nanogenerators.

The triboelectric layers are bonded to the electrodes, which are also bonded to the multiple faces of the wave-like spring structure; that is, the electrodes behave like double-sided adhesive tape. If the surface is not subjected to any load or stress, the layers are separated from each other, one opposite the other; they are the FKM layer and the NBR layer. Two strips of the same triboelectric material are placed on both sides of the same substrate portion or wave to reduce parasitic capacitances, although in this case they are very few due to the low conductivity of LCP (liquid crystal polymer). The generated electricity collected by the electrodes is in turn collected by terminals distributed on a copper electrically conductive wire between the contact surfaces of the electrodes and the substrate. These electrical conductors (which collect the current from all the electrodes of each TENG in each module) are positioned through the vertical cavities between the flexible sheets or corrugated springs of the substrate, so that they can be connected to other conductors from other plates or to electricity-collecting elements if they are the edges of the implanted floor modules.

Each floor module can have a recess in the corners where the electrical connectors can also be located.

All components of the floor module (for example, the part protecting the triboelectric layers) are made of waterproof materials, so installation is possible in humid or rainy environments without any reduction in electrical performance thanks to the protection of the top coating.

All the materials used in this system have high melting points and low glass transition temperatures in the case of polymers. All are flame-resistant, except for NBR rubber. However, it is possible to add a flame-retardant additive to their composition, such as aluminum hydroxide (ATH or Al(OH)3) or expandable graphite (EG) flame retardant. Therefore, the triboelectric portable floor, the object of the present invention, can be considered suitable for implementation in extreme environmental conditions. The collector outputs that collect electricity from the electrical connectors are also non-flammable and waterproof.

To charge electronic devices or store the generated electricity, these electrical connectors connect (by joining the positive and negative ends together, respectively) to charging devices or batteries that store the generated energy. They also connect to capacitors.

The portable nature of the floor means that the applications that arise from the use of energy generated by the triboelectric floor are very varied and some have been proposed: track or pavement for sports activities, roofs or floors of transport or their respective entrances, construction sites or construction sites with autonomous lighting or signage, mass events (festivals, concerts, fashion shows...) and passageways such as lobbies or any place where queues of people form.

Alternatively, arrays or matrices of voltage-detecting channels can be used, thus discretizing the soil with a granularity equivalent to the number of TENGs present. This allows monitoring of the pressure exerted on each TENG unit that makes up the soil. These arrays can be connected to local transmitters or wireless transmitters such as LoRa, which will send the monitoring signal to control centers.

Alternatively, electronic devices can be placed next to each current collector. Monitoring the ground pressure or individual modules can be used as an alarm sensor if a weight threshold is exceeded. A small LoRa module will alert a control unit that a certain weight has been exceeded, or any other variable to be analyzed, such as a vehicle speeding, the number of people present in a restricted area, etc.

Thanks to the possibility of connecting the floor panels or modules to a battery or other electronic device to store or apply the generated electricity, and to its portable nature, it is possible to implement the floor in places with a large number of people to collect the largest possible amount of electricity. It is worth highlighting a wide variety of applications for harnessing the energy generated by triboelectric floors, such as: tracks or pavements for sports activities, roofs or floors for transportation or their respective entrances, construction sites or construction sites with autonomous lighting or signage, mass events (festivals, concerts, fashion shows, etc.), and passageways such as lobbies or any place where queues of people form.

Furthermore, compared to other conventional triboelectric floors, which generate electricity by using footsteps or other forces that constantly occur on the floor, this portable triboelectric floor offers a reduced cost.

Brief description of the figures

A series of figures, non-limiting examples, are briefly described here, which help to better understand the invention:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a floor module, according to a possible embodiment of the triboelectric portable floor object of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a top plan view of a floor module with full cuts sectioning the floor module transversely and longitudinally.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the floor module divided into its main parts.

Figure 3A shows a detailed view of the substrate to show the TENGs inserted into it.

Figure 4 shows a graph representing the transferred load as a function of time for a TENG with different contact surfaces: a) 0.0075 m2, b) 0.00875 m2 and c) 0.01 m2 (20 mm wide x 500 mm long).

Figure 5A, Figure 5B and Figure 5C show graphs representing, for a load resistance of 1GQ: transferred charge (see Figure 5A), current intensity (see Figure 5B) and voltage (see Figure 5C) as a function of time for a single TENG with different thicknesses for the negative triboelectric layer: a) 0.2 mm, b) 0.4 mm and c) 0.6 mm.

Figure 6 shows a graph representing, for a load resistance of 3GQ: transferred charge, current intensity and voltage as a function of time for a single TENG with electropositive and electronegative layer thicknesses of 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm and a contact surface of 0.01 m2.

Figure 7 shows a representation of the electrical potential for a single TENG according to a contact surface of: a) 0.0075 m2, b) 0.00875 m2 and c) 0.01 m2.

Figure 8 shows a graph representing the transferred charge as a function of distance, for a single TENG with electropositive and electronegative layer thicknesses of 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm and a contact surface of 0.01 m2.

Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of a communications system and electronic devices connected to the output electrodes of the triboelectric portable ground TENGs.

Figure 10 schematically shows a possible application of the triboelectric portable floor as a temporary dance floor with autonomous LED lights on the upper deck.

Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of triboelectric portable soil segmentation in their respective TENGs using an array of detectors, one for each pair of electrodes of each TENG.

Figure 12 schematically shows another scheme for segmenting the triboelectric portable ground into its TENGs using an array of detectors, one for each electrode pair of each TENG.

Figure 13 shows a schematic representation of a remote communication system for signals associated with the TENGs of one or more floor modules to IoT platforms ("Internet of Things").

Detailed description

The present invention relates, as already mentioned above, to a triboelectric portable floor.

According to a possible embodiment of the triboelectric portable floor, object of the present invention, the triboelectric portable floor comprises a plurality of floor modules (100).

The floor modules (100) are configured to be connected or assembled together, forming a floor that can be installed on a certain surface, such as a living room, a bedroom, a hallway or a lobby.

Each floor module (100) comprises a set of main parts connected to each other, so that the floor module (100) allows the production of electrical energy from mechanical energy.

Thus, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, each floor module (100) comprises:

- two covers (4, 5) configured to cover internal elements that constitute a substrate of the floor module (100).

Thus, a first cover (4) (or lower cover) is configured to allow the fixing of the floor module (100) to a surface or floor where the triboelectric portable floor is to be installed. This first cover (4) is responsible for damping the vibrations that occur on the floor module (100) and is made of natural rubber foam.

The second deck (5) (or top deck) is configured to cover the top of the substrate and is the place where people will walk. This second deck (5) is made of the material required according to the application for which the portable floor is intended.

- The substrate between the two decks (4, 5) is divided into three parts: the main substrate (1) (or middle substrate) and the side substrates (2, 3) of the floor module (100).

The main substrate (1) comprises a plurality of sheets or first flexible sheets (1a) arranged parallel to each other, where each first flexible sheet (1a) is arranged according to a plurality of folds (or folds) on itself, in the manner of an accordion or zigzag, and forming a plurality of first channels (1b) between the folds of each first flexible sheet (1a). Each first flexible sheet (1a) thus resembles a spring connected to the first cover (4) and to the second cover (5).

The first channels (1b) formed by the folds of each first flexible sheet (1a) of the main substrate (1) are directed from a first side of the floor module (100) towards a second side of the floor module (100).

The main substrate (1) is arranged between the first cover (4) and the second cover (5), and is glued or adhered to the first cover (4) and the second cover (5).

A first side substrate (2) is arranged parallel to the first side of the floor module (100), transversely to the first channels (1b) formed by the folds of each first flexible sheet (1a) of the main substrate (1).

Similarly to the main substrate (1), the first side substrate (2) comprises a flexible sheet or second sheet (2a) arranged in a plurality of folds (or creases) on itself, in the manner of an accordion or zigzag, and forming a plurality of second channels (2b) between the folds of the second flexible sheet (2a). These second channels (2b) are perpendicular to the first channels (1b).

The first side substrate (2) is glued or adhered to the second cover (5) (or top cover).

A second side substrate (3) is arranged parallel to the second side of the floor module (100), transversely to the first channels (1b) formed by the folds of each first flexible sheet (1 a) of the main substrate (1).

Similarly to the main substrate (1), the second side substrate (3) comprises a flexible sheet or third sheet (3a) arranged in a plurality of folds (or creases) on itself, in the manner of an accordion or zigzag, and forming a plurality of third channels (3b) between the folds of the third flexible sheet (3a). These third channels (3b) are perpendicular to the first channels (1b).

The second side substrate (3) is glued or adhered to the first cover (4) (or bottom cover).

By means of the structure described for the substrates (1,2,3), the interior of the floor module (100) forms a sandwich-type structure, with the main substrate (1) arranged between the second cover (5) (or upper cover), the first side substrate (2), the second side substrate (3) and the first cover (4) (or lower cover), as shown in Figure 1.

Both the main substrate (1) and the first side substrate (2) and the second side substrate (3) are formed by sheets of flexible material, said flexible material being a flexible polymer, with high elastic limit and fatigue resistance, such as Kapton® (polyimide, PI) or more preferably a liquid crystal polymer (LCP).

The floor modules (100) fit together, two by two, thanks to the wavy, spring-shaped structure of the substrates (1, 2, 3), which also accommodates the triboelectric nanogenerators and drives their operation.

As can be seen in section A-A of Figure 2, the main substrate (1) protrudes from the first cover (4) (or lower cover) and from the second cover (5) (or upper cover), respectively from a third side and from a fourth side of the floor module (100), the same distance on each side, to leave just enough space for these protruding parts of the main substrate (1) of two floor modules (100) that are intended to be installed adjacently to fit longitudinally with each other.

Similarly, the first side substrate (2) and the second side substrate (3) also protrude, respectively, from the first side and the second side of the floor module (100), so that the side substrates (2, 3) of two floor modules (100) that are intended to be installed adjacently fit longitudinally with each other.

In this case, the first side substrate (2) of the first side of a first floor module (100), adhered to the second cover (5) (or upper cover) of said first floor module (100), fits with the second side substrate (3) of the second side of an adjacent second floor module (100), adhered to the first cover (4) (or lower cover) of said second floor module (100). At the ends of the section B-B (see Figure 2) it can be clearly seen how the side substrates glued respectively to the upper and lower covers fit together.

In each fold of each first flexible sheet (1a) of the main substrate (1) and in each fold of the second flexible sheet (2a) of the first side substrate (2) and each fold of the third flexible sheet (3a) of the second side substrate (3), there is a sheet portion with a first surface of one side of the sheet facing a channel, and a second surface of the opposite side of the sheet facing an adjacent or contiguous channel.

Electrodes (8), formed by metal sheets, are arranged on the first surface and on the second surface. On each electrode (8), respective triboelectric layers (6, 7) are arranged (layers of triboelectric material). Between each electrode (8) and each triboelectric layer (6, 7), wires of electrically conductive material (for example copper) are arranged with electrical terminals for connection to the respective electrodes (8), distributed over the surface of the electrodes (8). The wires of conductive material are configured to collect the electric current generated by footsteps and friction of the triboelectric layers (6, 7), and conduct said current towards collectors. The copper wires run through the hollow spaces between the first flexible sheets (1a) of the main substrate (1), or through the hollow spaces between the first lateral substrate (2) and the main substrate (1) or between the second lateral substrate (3) and the main substrate (1).

According to a particular embodiment, a total of 209 triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are inserted into each channel (1b, 2b, 3b) of each substrate (1,2, 3) (in each cavity of the 'waves' of the 'springs' of the substrate).

Each triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) consists of three parts: the electropositive triboelectric layer (6), the electronegative triboelectric layer (7), and the electrodes (8).

190 TENGs are placed on the main substrate (1) and the remaining 19 are distributed among the side substrates (2, 3). Their arrangement is shown in the detail view of Figure 3A.

From the inner face of the second surface (5) (or upper surface) of the main substrate (1) and of the side substrates (2, 3) of the floor module (100) to the inner face of the first surface (4) (or lower surface), the thin sheets of material that make up the TENGs are introduced into all the channels (1b, 2b, 3b) of the flexible sheets (1a, 2a, 3a) (on all the “floors” of the “springs” of the internal substrates of the floor module (100)).

First, the electrodes (8) are introduced, formed by sheets of aluminium 0.05 mm thick, 20 mm wide and 555 mm long. On them, the triboelectric layers (6, 7) are placed, but not before introducing between the triboelectric layers (6, 7) and the electrodes (8), some copper wire cables (electrical connectors) with their terminals distributed over the entire surface to collect the electricity. These electrical connectors run through the vertical gaps between "spring" and "spring" (between the different flexible sheets).

The triboelectric layers (6, 7) placed on both sides of one of the spring waves are preferably made of the same material to minimize parasitic capacitances. Thus, alternating pairs of TENGs are arranged on the aluminum electrodes (8), one with the electronegative triboelectric layer (7) on top and the electropositive triboelectric layer (6) below, and the other vice versa.

The electronegative triboelectric layer (7) is made of 0.6 mm fluoroelastomer rubber sheet (FKM or Viton) and the electropositive triboelectric layer (6) is made of 0.2 mm nitrile rubber sheet (NBR-Vinyl or NBR by default). These sheets of material when they maintain contact due to the crushing suffered by the substrate (1,2, 3) when the floor is stepped on or when they rub against each other when the edges of the floor plates (the edges or sides of the floor modules (100)) fit together during assembly are subjected to the triboelectric effect, thus producing electrical signals.

Figure 4 and Figure 5 show the electrical production results carried out for a load resistance of 1 GQ. Figure 4 shows how the transferred charge increases with the contact surface: a) 0.0075 m2 b) 0.00875 m2 and c) 0.01 m2.

Referring to Figure 5, the charge output values (see Figure 5A), current intensity (see Figure 5B), voltage (see Figure 5C) for a single TENG with a contact surface of 0.01 m2 (20 x 500 mm) increase with the thickness of the negative triboelectric layer: a) 0.2 mm, b) 0.4 mm, c) 0.6 mm. The first voltage and current peak, which has not been taken into account, could be used to charge a direct current capacitor since these types charge faster.

The final values of a) load, b) current intensity and c) voltage, for an optimal resistance of 3 GQ, are shown in Figure 6.

The load transferred with a 20 mm x 500 mm TENG, i.e., 0.01 m2 of contact surface, shown in Figure 8, also coincides with the previous simulation.

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the components for managing electrical energy from the mechanical energy collected by the triboelectric nanogenerators included in the triboelectric portable floor object of the present invention.

In this case, the triboelectric portable floor is segmented and each independent TENG unit generates a signal that is received by an acquisition system that relates the voltage or strain of each channel with the corresponding TENG sensor. The diagram is composed of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) unit (9), a battery (10) or capacitor (11) that are charged and then discharged in the load resistor, which may be a traffic light (12) or a car or people counter (13). In the case of the traffic light (12), the energy can be collected and then released and announce an alarm message that it is not possible to pass because the triboelectric portable floor is being assembled (friction generation). Also, in the operating mode in which the triboelectric portable floor is already assembled, more energy will be generated punctually when there is pressure on some area of the floor. The energy of each TENG or the energy collected by the collectors of all the TENGs can be used as a wireless alarm signal in such a way that a medium or low consumption wireless transmitter (LoRa) (14) will receive these signals and depending on the application, if the signal exceeds a certain threshold, it will send a long-distance warning message (i.e. 20 km) in interurban areas that will be received by a receiver or RAK (15) that, connected locally or remotely via Wi-Fi, will send the signal to IoT platforms that can be seen on a device with internet (16), located in control centers or homes (17). The unit TENG can correspond to the one analyzed in Figures 4 to 8, which has a higher electrical output (20 mm wide and 0.6 mm thick for the electronegative FKM triboelectric layer).

Figure 10 schematically shows an application of the triboelectric portable floor installed as a temporary dance floor. The stresses generated on the surface of the portable floor panels enable the triboelectric portable floor to convert this mechanical energy into electrical energy, which is used to autonomously power LED lights on the exposed surface of the triboelectric portable floor.

A power management circuit can transform the alternating current (AC) voltage from intermittent mechanical pulses to direct current (DC) voltage for use in charging the battery (10) or in any circuit that requires DC current. Likewise, the TENGs incorporated in the triboelectric portable floor can be segmented (as shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12), each one connecting to a channel of a columnar channel array (18) of a data acquisition (DAQ) system. This global channel array (19) will determine which areas of the floor experience compression and traction depending on the channel activated in the processing unit. The channels will receive a signal (a logic “1”) when the TENGs are compressed (21) and will not give a signal (they will give a logic “0”) when they are released (20).

Furthermore, through the signal matrix (19), we can study their evolution over time and thus calculate the speed of the object applying pressure. Each column of TENGs can add up their energy and produce a value that will be compared with the rest of the columns. In the case that each TENG (9) has an associated measurement channel, the channel matrix will have a larger number of them.

On the other hand, as shown schematically in Figure 13, in the event that a large amount of energy is generated due to a large mass that compresses the TENGs (9) of one or many floor modules (100), an electromagnetic signal (radio) (24) will be produced that will be transmitted through an antenna (23) and that will be received by a module through its antenna (25) located a few meters away from the transmitter and that will send a wireless or local signal, depending on how said transmitter is installed and programmed, which will also act as a receiver (14). In the case that it is by remote communication, the messages or signals can be sent to IoT platforms (17).

Below are listed different elements represented in the Figures:

1. Main substrate

1st. First flexible sheet

1b. First channel

2. First lateral substrate

2a. Second flexible sheet

2b. Second channel

3. Second lateral substrate

3a. Third flexible sheet

3b. Third channel

4. First deck (lower deck)

5. Second deck (upper deck)

6. Electropositive triboelectric layer (+)

7. Electronegative triboelectric layer (-)

8. Electrodes

9. TENG unit

10. Battery

11. Condenser

12. Traffic light

13. Digital counter

14. Wireless transmitter (LoRa)

15. Wireless Receiver (RAK)

16. Internet-enabled device, IoT platform

17. Control center, offices or workers' home with IoT

18. Column channel matrix

19. Global Channel Matrix

20. Uncompressed soil

21. Compressed soil

22. Connections of each TENG to the channel array for speed calculation.

23. Antenna emerging from the conductive layers or electrodes of the gutters or floor modules

24. Electromagnetic disturbance in space produced by the compression/release of charge

25. Receiving antenna that collects the electromagnetic disturbance signal due to the large variation in load suffered by the ground in a very large area and that acts by sending a wireless signal based on the threshold programmed in the receiver (which acts as a transmitter at the same time) and that is associated with the charge received by the ground.

100. Soil module

Claims (13)

1. Triboelectric portable floor comprising at least one floor module (100), characterized in that the at least one floor module (100) comprises: or a first cover (4) configured to be arranged, in use, in contact with a ground or surface; or a second cover (5) configured to serve, in use, as a contact surface with any object, animal or person located on the triboelectric portable floor; or a main substrate (1) arranged between the first cover (4) and the second cover (5), wherein the main substrate (1) comprises a plurality of first flexible sheets (1a), where each first flexible sheet (1a) is in contact with the first cover (4) and with the second cover (5), where each first flexible sheet (1a) comprises a plurality of folds on itself forming an accordion geometry and defining a plurality of first channels (1b) between the folds of each first flexible sheet (1a), such that each first channel (1b) is arranged between two portions of each first flexible sheet (1a), where the first channels (1b) are directed from a first side towards a second side of the floor module ( 100); or a first side substrate (2) arranged in correspondence with the first side of the floor module (100), where the first side substrate (2) is arranged in a direction transverse to the first channels (1b) of the main substrate (1a), where the first side substrate (2) comprises a second flexible sheet (2a), where the second flexible sheet (2a) is in contact with the first cover (4), where the second flexible sheet (2a) comprises a plurality of folds on itself forming an accordion geometry and defining a plurality of second channels (2b) between the folds of the second flexible sheet (2a), such that each second channel (2b) is arranged between two portions of the second flexible sheet (2a); or a second side substrate (3) arranged in correspondence with the second side of the floor module (100), where the second side substrate (3) is arranged in a direction transverse to the first channels (1b) of the main substrate (1a), where the second side substrate (3) comprises a third flexible sheet (3a), where the third flexible sheet (3a) is in contact with the second cover (5), where the third flexible sheet (3a) comprises a plurality of folds on itself forming an accordion geometry and defining a plurality of third channels (3b) between the folds of the third flexible sheet (3a), such that each third channel (3b) is arranged between two portions of the third flexible sheet (3a); where in each fold of each flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) there is a portion of flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) with a first surface of one face of the flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) oriented towards a channel (1b, 2b, 3b), and a second surface of the opposite face of the flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) oriented towards an adjacent channel (1b, 2b, 3b); where electrodes (8) are arranged on the first surface and on the second surface, where each electrode (8) is formed by a metal sheet; where a triboelectric layer (6, 7) is arranged on each electrode (8); where between each electrode (8) and the corresponding triboelectric layer (6, 7) arranged on the electrode (8) there are arranged a plurality of conductive wires with a plurality of electrical terminals connected at different points of the surface of the electrode (8); where the conducting wires are arranged so that they run from the corresponding electrode (8), through the space between the flexible sheets (1a, 2a, 3a), towards current collectors; where the triboelectric layers (6, 7) located in the same channel (1b, 2b, 3b) are arranged in such a way that in correspondence with a portion of flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) electropositive triboelectric layers (6) are arranged and in correspondence with the other portion of flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) electronegative triboelectric layers (7) are arranged, and; where in correspondence with the same portion of flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a): or if the triboelectric layers (6, 7) arranged on one side of the flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) and facing a channel are electropositive triboelectric layers (6), the triboelectric layers (6, 7) arranged on the other side of the flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) and facing the adjacent channel are also electropositive triboelectric layers (6), and; or if the triboelectric layers (6, 7) arranged on one side of the flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) and facing a channel are electronegative triboelectric layers (7), the triboelectric layers (6, 7) arranged on the other side of the flexible sheet (1a, 2a, 3a) and facing the adjacent channel are also electronegative triboelectric layers (7); where: or the main substrate (1) protrudes from the first cover (4) and from the second cover (5) the same distance from a third side and from a fourth side of the at least one floor module (100); or the first side substrate (2) protrudes from the second cover (5) from the first side of the floor module (100), and; or the second side substrate (3) protrudes from the first cover (4) from the second side of the floor module (100); so that the at least one floor module (100) is configured to fit with other adjacent floor modules (100) on any of the sides of the floor modules (100), fitting the folds of the flexible sheets (1a, 2a, 3a) that protrude from a floor module (100) in the folds of the flexible sheets (1a, 2a, 3a) that protrude from one or more adjacent floor modules (100). 2. Triboelectric portable floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible sheets (1a, 2a, 3a) are made of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material. 3. Triboelectric portable floor according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible sheets (1a, 2a, 3a) are made of polyimide (Pl). 4. Triboelectric portable floor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electropositive triboelectric layers (6) are made of a nitrile rubber (NBR) material. 5. Triboelectric portable floor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronegative triboelectric layers (7) are made of a fluoroelastomer rubber (FKM) material. 6. Triboelectric portable floor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrodes (8) are made of aluminum. 7. Triboelectric portable floor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductive wires are made of copper. 8. Triboelectric portable floor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first cover (4) is made of natural rubber foam. 9. Triboelectric portable floor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triboelectric layers (6, 7) located in the same channel (1b, 2b, 3b), together with the electrodes (8) on which said triboelectric layers (6, 7) are arranged, constitute a triboelectric nanogenerator (9), and where at least one triboelectric nanogenerator (9) is connected to a battery (10) or capacitor (11). 10. Triboelectric portable floor according to claim 9, characterized in that the battery (10) or the capacitor (11) are connected to an external device such as a traffic light (12) or a car counter or a people counter (13). 11. Triboelectric portable floor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triboelectric layers (6, 7) located in the same channel (1b, 2b, 3b), together with the electrodes (8) on which said triboelectric layers (6, 7) are arranged, constitute a triboelectric nanogenerator (9), and where at least one triboelectric nanogenerator (9) is connected to a channel of a matrix of columnar channels (18) of a data acquisition system. 12. Triboelectric portable floor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triboelectric layers (6, 7) located in the same channel (1b, 2b, 3b), together with the electrodes (8) on which said triboelectric layers (6, 7) are arranged, constitute a triboelectric nanogenerator (9), and where at least one triboelectric nanogenerator (9) is connected to a medium or low consumption wireless transmitter (14). 13. Triboelectric portable floor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triboelectric layers (6, 7) located in the same channel (1b, 2b, 3b), together with the electrodes (8) on which said triboelectric layers (6, 7) are arranged, constitute a triboelectric nanogenerator (9), and where at least one triboelectric nanogenerator (9) is connected to an antenna (23).